WHY? - To raise money and show support for Diversity House, a local Kent charity that works hard to provide equal opportunities for ALL. We want to challenge the boys to raise awareness and money for this fantastic cause.

Back in October 2019 Linacre House cooked for all that attended the Charity Dinner at Birley's Sports Pavilion and in the Summer you all collaborated to get to Paris and back - this was an outstanding achievement - and we are asking you for help again!

At 83 years old, Bruce Boynton died on 25th November. Responsible for the Freedom Rides of 1961, his commitment and initiative helped bring people of all backgrounds together to make a stand against the Southern States of America not following US law and continuing with the segregation of services and public buses. Despite the years of struggle, conflict and violence along the way, the subsequent 4 Freedom Rides led to the abolition of the Jim Crow laws in South. This was an extraordinary feat and Linacre would like to travel one of those journeys TOGETHER.

THE CHALLENGE - For the Linacre House Team to row the first and shortest of the freedom rides... (1961 May 4th -17th - Nashville to Jackson = 847km) over a 12 hour period on Sunday 6th December across 6 rowing machines.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? The other challenge is for us ALL to come together and include Linacre Families in our quest to complete the last and most historic of the Freedom Rides (1961 July 8th - 15th - St Louis to New Orleans = 1437km). Together we are stronger!

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO? 1. Support this brilliant local charity Diversity House so that they can continue to help to provide equal opportunities through the projects they put in place for ALL in Kent - regardless of a person's background. 2.Help us get to the combined total of 1437km by sending in pictures of your activity. Whatever the mode of exercise... how far can you go? Remember pictures will be published like in our Paris challenge - see the pictures here

AIM- For all members of the house and their families to support diversity and recognise the historic changes and achievements of Bruce Boynton and the Freedom Riders

THE CHARITY: DIVERISITY HOUSE - Sittingbourne - We have reached out to Diversity House, who have written back to give a brief synopsis of their work:

“We support socially disadvantaged groups, particularly individuals and families from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds, experiencing economic hardship, unemployment, housing issues, relationship crisis, health and wellbeing problems, social isolation and loneliness; families on low income; individuals living with a mental health condition; race and hate incidences, and recent migrants to access safe and culturally proficient community services. Our service user groups are intersectional ranging from young children, adolescents, older people; individuals with disabilities; and people with significant caring responsibilities.

Our services are holistic and person-centred with interventions designed around the interests and indicated needs of our users, such as:

Advice, information, advocacy and guidance on accessing housing, employment, career development, managing family and social problems; Drop-in Centre, acting as a social hub for those socially isolated and lonely; Cultural events and activities and workshops; Mentoring and counselling; Youth services – summer clubs and afterschool activities; Provision of school uniforms and food parcels; Capacity building; English for Speakers of other languages (ESOL); Coffee mornings and outreach; Conversation and reading clubs; Sewing club; Help with employment and entrepreneurial skills; Health literacy and health promotion sessions (including exercises and healthy eating); Gender programmes (helping women and girls to gain social and life skills).

Our activities focus on providing opportunities to bring people together, developing and maintain positive social networks and friendships, with the end aim of improving participants overall quality of life. Volunteers and Project Workers administer general activity sessions such as coffee mornings and outreach. Some sessions including Job Club, exercise classes and advice and mentoring sessions are run in collaboration with local service providers that have professional knowledge relating to the session content.”

IMPORTANT - How are we going to do this Covid safe? Year groups will complete their time slots in bubbles. Machines will be wiped down between use. All machines will be facing the same way and in the fresh air! Under Gazebos of course! All participants will also have to sanitize their hands before and after use.